Dec. 2, 2010

By Brian Davis, Assistant Media Relations Director

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee soccer player Chelsea Hatcher has been tabbed to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Second Team Women's All-South Region squad for her outstanding efforts on the pitch during the 2010 campaign.

With the nod the Cincinnati, Ohio, native becomes the 16th all-time Lady Vol soccer player to be honored by the NSCAA as part of an all-region team. Tennessee has now reaped 26 total selections to the squads since former UT standouts Allison Campbell and Laura Lauter picked up the program's first all-region accolades back in 1998.

"I'm very proud of the outstanding season that Chelsea Hatcher had for our team in 2010," Lady Vol Head Soccer Coach Angela Kelly said. "It is a great honor for her to be included as part of the NSCAA All-Region Team. I know her personal expectations are very high entering every year. I know she won't be satisfied with what she accomplished as a junior and will continue her hard work to prepare to wrap up her career at UT next fall with a strong and successful senior season."

The First Team All-Southeastern Conference selection was outstanding for the Lady Vols in 2010, leading Tennessee in goals scored (eight), points (20) and shots (105), while rating second on the squads in assists (four). The junior forward registered match-winning goals to defeat both Western Kentucky (Aug. 20) and Arkansas (Sept. 24). Her score to beat the Razorbacks occurred with just 2:48 remaining in regulation play and helped earn her SEC Offensive Player of the Week accolades on Sept. 27th. Conference-wise, she finished the year tied for fourth in goals and sixth in total points while starting all 20 of UT's matches.

She did the majority of her work after Tennessee entered league action, posting a team-best five goals over 11 SEC contests, to rate in a tie for fourth in the SEC, and 11 total points to dead-lock for eighth in the conference. Her finest weekend came during UT's road-trips to battle No. 12 Florida and No. 13 South Carolina live on television, scoring twice versus the Gators (SUN Sports) and once against the Gamecocks (ESPNU). Hatcher also blasted home a highlight-worthy goal from the top of the 18 into the upper left corner of the twine, just 1:58 after Georgia had opened the scoring, during an eventual 2-1, Big Orange victory over the `Dawgs in the regular season finale.

Hatcher now possesses 11 career goals, six assists and 28 total points over 58 matches played during her three-year stint at Rocky Top. She has also moved into fifth all-time in UT history by launching 224 total shots (64 on frame).